Physical Fitness Parameters of Elite Chinese Male Canoe Slalom Paddlers / Parámetros de Aptitud Física de los Remeros Masculinos Chinos de Élite en Canoa Slalom

SUMMARY: This study aimed to investigate the physical fitness parameters of elite Chinese male canoe slalom athletes and explore the corresponding training strategies. Eight elite male slalom kayakers from the Chinese national team were selected as research subjects. The following parameters were measured: age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), arm span, upper arm circumference, body fat percentage, maximum oxygen uptake, heart rate, blood lactic acid level, upper limb strength, and 300-m linear speed in flat water. Compared with elite international male slalom athletes, elite Chinese male slalom athletes had lower values for age, height, weight, BMI, arm span, and upper arm circumference, while body fat percentage, bench push, and bench pull values were greater, and the 300 m straight-line speed in flat water was slower. From an athlete development and physical training perspective, elite Chinese male slalom athletes should prioritize the accumulation of competitive experience instead of increasing training years in order to swiftly reach top international standards. Additionally, these athletes should manage their body fat percentage and improve their aerobic capacity, paddling skills, mechanical work, and linear speed in flat water.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar los parámetros de aptitud física de los atletas masculinos chinos de élite de canoa slalom y explorar las estrategias de entrenamiento correspondientes. Ocho hombres kayakistas de élite de slalom del equipo nacional chino fueron seleccionados como sujetos de investigación. Se midieron los siguientes parámetros: edad, talla, peso, índice de masa corporal (IMC), envergadura, perímetro braquial, porcentaje de grasa corporal, consumo máximo de oxígeno, frecuencia cardiaca, nivel de ácido láctico en sangre, fuerza de los miembros superiores y carrera de 300 m y velocidad lineal en agua plana. En comparación con los atletas internacionales masculinos de slalom de élite, los atletas chinos de slalom masculinos de élite tenían valores más bajos para la edad, la altura, el peso, el IMC, la envergadura del brazo y la circunferencia del brazo superior, mientras que los valores de porcentaje de grasa corporal, empuje de banco y tirón de banco eran mayores y la velocidad en línea recta de 300 m en aguas planas fue más lenta. Desde la perspectiva del desarrollo del atleta y el entrenamiento físico, los atletas de slalom masculinos chinos de élite deberían priorizar la acumulación de experiencia competitiva en lugar de aumentar los años de entrenamiento para alcanzar rápidamente los más altos estándares internacionales. Además, estos atletas deben controlar su porcentaje de grasa corporal y mejorar su capacidad aeróbica, habilidades de remo, trabajo mecánico y velocidad lineal en aguas tranquilas.

Strength and strength-related anthropometric parameters of the international level canoe slalom male paddlers / Fuerza y parámetros antropométricos relacionados con la fuerza de los hombres remeros de canotaje slalom de nivel internacional

SUMMARY: The aim of the study was to determine the differences in hand-grip strength and strength-related anthropometric parameters between the highest-performance international paddlers (HILP) and other international paddlers (ILP) in canoe slalom. In male competitors (n=48; 23 canoeists and 25 kayakers) who took part in the 2018 European championship event in canoe slalom in Prague, Czech Republic representing 15 European countries were measured hand-grip strength and strength-related anthropometric parameters two days prior the event. Differences between the group of HILP (medallists from Olympic Games, world championship and European championship in the previous three years and European championship finalists at the same time) and ILP were found. HILP have significantly higher forearm, arm and chest girths than ILP. Moderate or high practical differences and margin statistic differences were found also for hand-grip strength, body weight, body mass index and age. The consistently high-performing paddlers are heavier, have more muscular upper body and are stronger than the other group, while keeping their lower body lean. Therefore, regular upper-body strength training to all canoe slalom paddlers is important but caution is required because body weight over 80 kg may be a limiting factor.

RESUMEN: El objetivo del estudio fue determinar las diferencias en la fuerza de prensión manual y los parámetros antropométricos relacionados con la fuerza entre los remeros internacionales de alto rendimiento (RIAR) y otros remeros internacionales de canotaje en slalom. En hombres competidores (n=48; 23 piragüistas y 25 kayakistas) que participaron en el campeonato europeo de slalom en canoa de 2018, en Praga, República Checa, que representa a 15 países europeos, se midió la fuerza de agarre manual y los parámetros antropométricos relacionados con la fuerza dos días antes del evento. Se encontraron diferencias entre el grupo de RIAR (medallistas de Juegos Olímpicos, campeonatos del mundo y campeonatos de Europa en los tres años anteriores y finalistas del campeonato de Europa al mismo tiempo) y remeros internacionales. Los RIAR presentaban circunferencias de antebrazo, brazo y pecho significativamente más altas que los remeros internacionales. Además, se encontraron diferencias prácticas moderadas o altas y diferencias estadísticas en el límite para la fuerza de prensión manual, el peso corporal, el índice de masa corporal y la edad. Los remeros de alto rendimiento son más pesados, tienen la parte superior del cuerpo más musculosa y son más fuertes que el otro grupo, mientras mantienen la parte inferior del cuerpo esbelta. Por lo tanto, es importante el entrenamiento regular de fuerza de la parte superior del cuerpo para todos los remeros de piragüismo, sin embargo se requiere precaución debido a que el peso corporal superior a 80 kg puede ser un factor limitante.

Morphological characteristics of European slalom canoe and kayak paddlers / Características morfológicas de los remeros de canoa y kayak de slalom europeos

SUMMARY: The primary aim of this study was to determine the morphology of elite canoe slalom paddlers and to identity if morphology differences existed between kayak and canoe paddlers. The survey included a total of 74 canoe slalom paddlers who competed in the 2018 European Championship. These competitors were assessed using a battery of anthropometric dimensions according to standardized anthropometric techniques and bioimpedance analysis using the multifrequency octopolar device Tanita MC-980. Elite slalom male competitors can be characterized to having average body height (~180 cm), average weight (~75 kg), with ectomorphic mesomorph somatotype (1.3 - 5.5 - 2.7), well developed trunk and arm muscles (biceps girth: 35.4 ± 1.8), low hypertrophy of legs and low body fat (8 ± 3.2 %). In addition, there are no significant differences between canoe (C1) and kayak (K1) paddlers. For female competitors we can conclude, there has been little change in anthropometric values through the decades. However, C1 competitors are younger, more mesomorphic and less ectomorphic.

RESUMEN: El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la morfología de los remeros de canoa de slalom de élite e identificar si existían diferencias morfológicas entre los remeros de kayak y canoa. El análisis incluyó un total de 74 remeros de canoa slalom que compitieron en el Campeonato de Europa de 2018. Los competidores fueron evaluados mediante una batería de dimensiones antropométricas según técnicas antropométricas estandarizadas y análisis de bioimpedancia utilizando el dispositivo octopolar multifrecuencia Tanita MC-980. Los competidores masculinos de slalom de élite se pueden caracterizar por tener una estatura corporal promedio (~ 180 cm), un peso promedio (~ 75 kg), con somatotipo mesomorfo ectomorfo (1,3 - 5,5 - 2,7), músculos del tronco y del brazo bien desarrollados (circunferencia del bíceps: 35,4 ± 1,8), baja hipertrofia de piernas y baja grasa corporal (8 ± 3,2 %). Además, no existen diferencias significativas entre los remeros en canoa (C1) y kayak (K1). Para las competidoras, podemos concluir que se han observado pocos cambios en los valores antropométricos a lo largo de las décadas. Sin embargo, los competidores de C1 son más jóvenes, más mesomórficos y menos ectomórficos.

Can the elite slalom kayaker's performance be correlated with anthropometric, nutritional, genetic, psychological as sleep traits?

Abstract AIMS The aims of this study were to investigate and characterize the anthropometric, nutritional, genetic, psychological and sleep variables of slalom kayakers, and to verify the correlation of these variables with the slalom kayakers' performance. METHODS Ten elite Brazilian team slalom kayakers participated of this study. Nutritional analysis was made by the Food Record (three days), 24 Hour Dietary Recall and Food Frequency Questionnaire. The ACE I/D, AGTMet235Thr, ACTN3R577X and BDKRB2+9/-9 were genotyped for genetic profile. The Profile of Mood States (POMS) and Sports Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT) were applied to investigate the psychological variables. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleep Scale (ESS) and Morningness-eveningness questionnaire (MEQ) were used for sleep traits analysis. Performance trials were performed on a white-water course with 24 gates, and finish time was considered as the variable related to performance. RESULTS Significant correlations were obtained between Performance Time Trial and %Fat (r=0.77), Energy (r=-0.75), Protein (r=-0.76), Carbohydrate (r=-0.72), Vitamin B6 (r=-0.87), Vitamin A (r=-0.82), Thiamine (r=-0.77), Riboflavin (r=-0.71), Magnesium (r=-0.86) and Phosphorus (r=-0.74) intake, besides the Fatigue mood domain (r=0.73) and the SCAT score (r=0.67). Athletes genotyped with the I, T, R and +9 alelle also presented better performances. CONCLUSIONSIn summary, the novel results provided by this study reinforce the necessity of considering several aspects during athlete development in order to achieve better performance in competitions.

Aerobic Evaluation in Elite Slalom Kayakers Using a Tethered Canoe System: A New Proposal.

BACKGROUND: Among other aspects, aerobic fitness is indispensable for performance in slalom canoe. PURPOSE: To propose the maximal-lactate steady-state (MLSS) and critical-force (CF) tests using a tethered canoe system as new strategies for aerobic evaluation in elite slalom kayakers. In addition, the relationship between the aerobic parameters from these tests and the kayakers' performances was studied. METHODS: Twelve male elite slalom kayakers from the Brazilian national team participated in this study. All tests were conducted using a tethered canoe system to obtain the force records. The CF test was applied on 4 d and analyzed by hyperbolic (CFhyper) and linear (CFlin) mathematical models. The MLSS intensity (MLSSint) was obtained by three 30-min continuous tests. The time of a simulated race was considered the performance index. RESULTS: No difference (P < .05) between CFhyper (65.9 ± 1.6 N) and MLSSint (60.3 ± 2.5 N) was observed; however, CFlin (71.1 ± 1.7 N) was higher than MLSSint. An inverse and significant correlation was obtained between MLSSint and performance (r = -.67, P < .05). CONCLUSION: In summary, MLSS and CF tests on a tethered canoe system may be used for aerobic assessment of elite slalom kayakers. In addition, CFhyper may be used as an alternative low-cost and noninvasive method to estimate MLSSint, which is related with slalom kayakers' performance.

Critical velocity and anaerobic paddling capacity determined by different mathematical models and number of predictive trials in canoe slalom.

The purpose of this study was to analyze if different combinations of trials as well as mathematical models can modify the aerobic and anaerobic estimates from critical velocity protocol applied in canoe slalom. Fourteen male elite slalom kayakers from Brazilian canoe slalom team (K1) were evaluated. Athletes were submitted to four predictive trials of 150, 300, 450 and 600 meters in a lake and the time to complete each trial was recorded. Critical velocity (CV-aerobic parameter) and anaerobic paddling capacity (APC-anaerobic parameter) were obtained by three mathematical models (Linear1=distance-time; Linear 2=velocity-1/time and Non-Linear = time-velocity). Linear 1 was chosen for comparison of predictive trials combinations. Standard combination (SC) was considered as the four trials (150, 300, 450 and 600 m). High fits of regression were obtained from all mathematical models (range - R² = 0.96-1.00). Repeated measures ANOVA pointed out differences of all mathematical models for CV (p = 0.006) and APC (p = 0.016) as well as R² (p = 0.033). Estimates obtained from the first (1) and the fourth (4) predictive trials (150 m = lowest; and 600 m = highest, respectively) were similar and highly correlated (r=0.98 for CV and r = 0.96 for APC) with the SC. In summary, methodological aspects must be considered in critical velocity application in canoe slalom, since different combinations of trials as well as mathematical models resulted in different aerobic and anaerobic estimates. Key pointsGreat attention must be given for methodological concerns regarding critical velocity protocol applied on canoe slalom, since different estimates were obtained depending on the mathematical model and the predictive trials used.Linear 1 showed the best fits of regression. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge and considering practical applications, this model is the easiest one to calculate the estimates from critical velocity protocol. Considering this, the abyss between science and practice may be decreased. Coaches of canoe slalom may simply apply critical velocity protocol and calculate by themselves the aerobic and anaerobic estimates.Still considering practical application, the results of this study showed the possibility of calculating the critical velocity estimates by using just two trials. These results are extremely relevant regarding saving time and easy applicability of this protocol for canoe slalom.